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Memories & Candles

“I have many fond memories of visiting John and his family in LaGrange, IL and also when we would have a family get together at Canadian Lakes. John...Read More »
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1 of 9 | Posted by: Andy Klapp - Trenton, MI - Family

“So sorry for your loss.One of my fondest memories of both John and DeeDee was when DeeDee invited Marianne and I over for lunch just after she and...Read More »
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2 of 9 | Posted by: Vern Steen - Spokane, WA - Friend

“Anna and Family, My thoughts are with you at this time. Both of your parents are together again, commenting on all of you, your lives, their hopes...Read More »
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3 of 9 | Posted by: Pamela Johnson - Grafton, ND

“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. John was a very special cousin to all in our family. ( Jake & Millie Spruit) Hold onto the...Read More »
”
4 of 9 | Posted by: Joanne Schanz - Cary, NC - Family

“My HEART goes out to the family. I only know Chris and John, I had the pleasure of meeting John a very soft spoken man who wished in his last days...Read More »
”
5 of 9 | Posted by: Tanya Bush - Centerview, MO

“I was deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. His wife Dee Ann and I have been friends since college. Our lives have intertwined throughout the...Read More »
”
6 of 9 | Posted by: Marianne Aamold - Spokane, WA

“To the Klapp family, our deepest sympathy. Your dad will be highly missed but we be happy to be with his true love DeAnn. I loved your mom, she went...Read More »
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7 of 9 | Posted by: John and Renee Hanson - Cushing, IA

John Francis Klapp was born on August 21, 1945, in Hannibal, Missouri to Francis J. and Anna May (Huling) Klapp. He was raised in LaGrange, Illinois where he attended St. Francis Xavier Catholic School. In 1963, he graduated from St. Francis High School in Wheaton, Illinois as a National Merit Scholar. John received his bachelor's degree in biology from Loyola University, Evanston, Illinois in 1969. In 1970 John was drafted into the Army and served in Vietnam as a Staff Sergeant and artilleryman. After his service, he studied chemistry at the University of North Dakota where he met his bride and lifelong best friend, DeeAnn (Smith). He owned and operated an auto mechanic shop in Saint Thomas, North Dakota. John worked as a parochial school teacher and mechanic supporting his young family as DeeAnn attended seminary in the Chicago area.

When his family moved to Iowa in 1985 to embark on ministry, John continued to teach science and volunteered in various community organizations. He also had a passion for collecting antique automobiles, enjoying long family road trips, and working on his cars with his children. After decades as an educator, John returned to college to pursue a second career as an electrician and happily retired from the United States Post Office in 2012.

Although John was an avid enthusiast of classic cars and devouring books, his true calling was loving others and helping those in need. He was a devout Catholic and an ordained member of the Franciscan Order. John was active in supporting those recovering from addiction when he lived in Iowa and also on the Leech Lake Reservation in Minnesota.

John went to his eternal reward on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the age of 71 years, eight months and 26 days.

John's precious wife, Reverend Doctor DeeAnn, and parents preceded him in passing. He is survived by his sister, Charlotte Peterson and brother, Joseph Klapp. He will be remembered by his four children, Christopher Klapp, Rev. Anna Thoreson (Rev. Robert), Charlotte Czerny (Dillon), and Drew Klapp. John's legacy also includes five grandchildren; Michael, Alexander, Nathaniel, Elijah, and Sarah, along with cousins and friends who will miss him dearly.

Memories & Candles

I have many fond memories of visiting John and his family in LaGrange, IL and also when we would have a family get together at Canadian Lakes. John always drove one of his many vintage cars all the way from Iowa.

May you rest in peace, John.

Posted by: Andy Klapp - Trenton, MI - Family Jun 18, 2017

So sorry for your loss.One of my fondest memories of both John and DeeDee was when DeeDee invited Marianne and I over for lunch just after she and John had started dating. DeeDee attempted to make a souffle, which unfortunately flopped.. It didn't matter because it was obvious that they both had found someone special. DeeDee was especially giddy. Their love for each other was so evident from the very beginning!

Posted by: Vern Steen - Spokane, WA - Friend May 23, 2017

Anna and Family, My thoughts are with you at this time. Both of your parents are together again, commenting on all of you, your lives, their hopes and dreams for all of you. God's peace be with you at this time. Pamela (Brown) Johnson

Posted by: Pamela Johnson - Grafton, ND - Family Friend May 23, 2017

Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. John was a very special cousin to all in our family. ( Jake & Millie Spruit) Hold onto the memories and the promise that he will have his place in heaven.

Posted by: Joanne Schanz - Cary, NC - Family May 22, 2017

My HEART goes out to the family. I only know Chris and John, I had the pleasure of meeting John a very soft spoken man who wished in his last days to keep Chris safe and BRAGGED on Chris progress. He expressed the love for All of his grandchildren. He spoke of his Beautiful Bride and how she was an Amazing Woman who he missed horribly. I AM Chris neighbor in Mo. This has become a shock to me and I continue to keep you all in my Prayers and Heart. Please take care of Chris.

Posted by: Tanya Bush - Centerview, MO - Neighbor May 21, 2017

I was deeply saddened to learn of John's passing. His wife Dee Ann and I have been friends since college. Our lives have intertwined throughout the years, during trials and tears, joys and good times. I know how much John and Dee Dee loved each other. I know how much they loved their children. Dee Dee was a once-in-a-lifetime friend whom I sorely miss, and John was her most devoted husband. I will never forget them.

Posted by: Marianne Aamold - Spokane, WA - Family Friend May 21, 2017

To the Klapp family, our deepest sympathy. Your dad will be highly missed but we be happy to be with his true love DeAnn. I loved your mom, she went to diet club with several of us and we had a great time together. I did her hair for her for a long time and she hated to see me quit. They were both loving and caring people and I hated it when they left. Charolette graduated with our son Alan. Best wishes to you all for the future and God bless.

Posted by: John and Renee Hanson - Cushing, IA - Friend May 20, 2017

Very sorry to hear of John's passing.

Posted by: Deb Droegmiller - Cushing, IA - Family Friend May 20, 2017

So sorry for your loss! Hang on to all the memories. They will live on forever!